Death Toll Rises As Dominica Assess Post Maria Damage

St Kitts and Nevis (WINN): The damage assessment continues in Dominica, as the hurricane battered island tries to come to grips with the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria.

Major damage to housing and infrastructure has been recorded in most of the country.

Thompson Fontaine in one report focusing on the Roseau area on TDN radio, transmitting via Q95, listed some of the devastation left behind including roofs being damaged on many homes and businesses, houses being compromised due to flood waters from the nearby Canefield River and the Canefield Airport runway being under water.

He says while the police have confirmed eleven deaths so far, the death toll is expected to rise significant.

“We can tell you that in terms of confirmed deaths, we can confirm the death toll which continues to rise sadly, is at 11. This is the confirmed number of deaths, it does not mean that that is the total, it just means that’s what we can confirm at this time” Fontaine said.

The South Western community of Pointe Michel three miles south of the capital Roseau is reported to have sustained several casualties.

However that is yet to be confirmed by the authorities.

Dominica with a population of 72,000 was hit by Maria with maximum sustained winds of nearly 160 miles per hour.

Hurricane Maria is the third in a string of devastating hurricanes to sweep through the region in recent weeks.